Jan 5, 2013

Mosaic Gazing Ball - or is it?

repurpose, garden decor, outdoor decor, garden,

Some of you may know that, on occasion, I like to repurpose things into other things. From the seemingly most mundane (ugly) items into things you might not ever think of them becoming. It's like the story of the ugly duckling that grows into the beautiful swan. I guess I just like the shock factor I get from people when they learn what it originally was. 

I started making gazing balls when I started following a gardening chat room back in 2009. It was the junk section where people would take junk finds and turn them into unique decor.

repurposed, painted furniture, garden art, garden decor, outdoor decor, flowers, red bench, potting bench, farmhouse
That's where I learned about bed benches & when I had my husband make this one

So these people started showing off these gazing balls they made and they looked so pretty! Since they were made with those dastardly flat glass marbles, that I had so many of, from who knows what fly by night project I thought I needed them for (beta fish & plant in a vase maybe?) it was Perfect! But what was I going to use for the ball? As I read over & over, they were all using old bowling balls! 

Get outta Dodge! Really? 

Weeeeellll, now I was on the hunt for a bowling ball and I found one. I made one of those gazing balls. And this was it.
 repurposed bowling ball, garden art, garden, garden decor, outdoor decor, upcycle,
I loved how it turned out. I painted it a bright apple green spray paint before applying the marbles. The background color really sets off the clear and turquoise marbles against the opaque and dark blues. You can spot it in the garden a mile away, well maybe a little less than a mile.

My step-sister loved it so much that I made her one too. Sadly, she passed away this last fall. I think it would be nice if she could have it at her grave, but I don't know if that could or would happen.

I'm supposed to make one for my husband's boss' wife, but I slacked on getting that one done this last summer, so I need to make sure it happens before the spring thaw this year. 

One of my very good friends stopped by a few months back and seen this and she was going to pay me to make her one. She was going to buy the marbles herself, but I guess with the thought of deciding on colors and finding enough, she decided she was over that. So I thought I would go ahead and make it for her - for her birthday. 

I finally gave it to her today. She seemed genuinely thrilled with how it turned out. Whew! I never know if things I make with my own designs are going to be well received.
bowling ball, gazing ball, garden art, garden decor, outdoor decor, repurpose, upcycle,
I started doing it in the same swirl design like I did on my own, since she seemed to really like that pattern.


Then I kind of started straying away from that design because I wanted you to be able to see a different design depending on which side of the ball you were facing. This one kind of has some swirly stems with flowers dangling from them.

garden art, garden decor, outdoor decor, repurpose, upcycle
Then I was left with all these green and pink marbles and no more brown ones, so I started just doing pink flowers in a sea of green. I'm thinking of maybe just doing an entire ball like that. What do you think?

I have several bowling balls ready for their swan show and spring IS just around the corner. I guess I better "get on the ball!" sorry, I couldn't resist.

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6 comments:

Tammy Killoough said...

Beth, These are sooooo creative!!! I just love mosaics...and making them! Thanks for sharing these adorable little darlings! ~Tammy

May said...

Quite nice. And why do I have this feeling there are some stories behind gathering the materials for this project????? You don't run into bowling balls every day!

Tracy said...

Nice play on words, teehee.
These are really pretty.
Now where the heck do you find an old bowling ball?

I also enjoy repurposing objects...like a twirly thing from the roof into a planter...my FIL still is shocked at how well that one turned out, lol.

Debbie @DewdropGables said...

I have a couple of bowling balls I plan on making into 'gazing balls' but I hadn't thought of using the glass pieces. Love how yours turned out!
Debbie :)

Unknown said...

Those are so pretty! I would never have guessed that you made them with bowling balls!

Linda said...

I was cleaning out closets and I came across my old bowling ball that I used a couple of decades ago..didn't want to dump it in a landfill. Of couse I came to Pinterest. Your bowling balls are AMAZING. Any hints for doing the fabulous swirl pattern? I dont know if I could pull that off. Thanks
Linda

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